Doping bans reduced for Jamaican pair Powell and Simpson

Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell, the former 100 metres world record holder, and Sherone Simpson have had their doping bans reduced from 18 months to six months and are free to compete immediately, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced.

Asafa Powell has had his doping ban reduced from 18 months to six months and is free to compete immediately, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has announced. Photo: David Jones/PA Wire.

Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell, the former 100 metres world record holder, and Sherone Simpson have had their doping bans reduced from 18 months to six months and are free to compete immediately, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced.

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Doping bans reduced for Jamaican pair Powell and Simpson

Independent.ie

Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell, the former 100 metres world record holder, and Sherone Simpson have had their doping bans reduced from 18 months to six months and are free to compete immediately, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced.

The pair were suspended by a Jamaica anti-doping disciplinary panel after testing positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine. They appealed to CAS to have their bans reduced to three months and the appeals were partially upheld.

As the six-month bans have already been served, they are now eligible to compete.

Simpson, who like Powell will be in Lucerne this week and available to run, claimed vindication.

In a statement, which Simpson released with Powell, she said: "I feel total relief and that we have finally been vindicated. We both knew that we had done all we could to ensure the supplement was okay before taking it.

"Our actions were not intentional and CAS has recognised that. I am truly thankful," the statement said.

The pair's release, news of which was posted on Powell's official website, added that the CAS has decided that all their costs and legal fees should be paid by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.